Can't decide between Tamron 17-50 or 28-75 (reviews inconsistent for 28-75)

I'm having a hard time deciding between the 17-50 (non VC) and the 28-75 both from Tamron. The reason I'm on the fence is reviews seem to favor the 17-50 for sharpness but I also know that a lot of 28-75 folks have been more satisified after sending the lens in for a tune up, often immediately after purchasing. That being said, do I need to be afraid of the "soft corners" often spoken of on the 28-75, or has this been corrected over time? This is really the main thing causing me to shy away from the 28-75.

Both similar prices so I know its going to come down to sharpness / color for me.

I own a Canon T1i and right now my only lenses are the Nifty 50 and the kit lens. I also use the EX580-II for indoors. I like the sharpness of the nifty 50 and the f/1.8 ability for use indoors, but find that 50mm is a bit too narrow at times. My current likes for the kit lens are the ability to capture wider angles indoors with the kit lens, but hate that its not very fast. I do often miss being able to zoom beyond 55mm though when outdoors.

I would ideally like to replace both lenses with one, if possible, at the individual cost range of these Tammy's (~$450), but may wind up keeping the nify 50.

My subjects tend to be rather well rounded:
-Main subject is my 2 year old son, my dog, etc... lots of the pictures are indoors with the EX580-II attached.
-The other pictures I will take are occasional outdoors of general scenery (not mountains or anything, I'm in the NW burbs of Chicago LOL).
-Finally, I am an automotive hobbyist, so I'm often at the drag strip or car shows taking pictures so I need a crisp fast lens with some zoom ability.

Hope this gives enough info to help me decide. I'm leaning towards the 28-75.

I've owned and used both the lens' in question. I think that the 17-50 for a crop sensor is the better range for me, but it depends if you need the range. The extra 11mm doesn't seem like much (it didn't to me) but it's a huge difference in reality. The 28-75 will not get nearly as wide as the 17-50.

Ive had both. Great third party lenses.

With you stating your main uses, i'd say that the 17-50 will be a more useful range for you on a crop. 28mm on a crop is nowhere near wide enough for some situations.

Man, the 28-75 has been getting crazy attention the last few weeks !!!! Like the other guys have mention I would say as well that the 17-50 would be the best bet for you, especially on your T1i. The 28-78 shines better (imo) on a FF cam.

Since I went digital I've only had crop cameras. I owned the 28-75 for a couple of years and traded it to help finance getting a Canon 24-105L. Wish I had the Tamron back. The range on the Canon is great, and so is IS, but I really liked the Tamron better. Light, 2.8, great price, outstanding pictures. The Canon is a nice lens, but dollar for dollar, it would be hard to beat the Tamron 28-75.

I appreciate the feedback so far!

Where? I read some of threads about this lens here before buying it. They were the same as 24-70 2.8 threads.
Some people needs to send it for calibration.

17-50 and 28-75 are equally nice lenses.
I went with 28-75 for 500D just because it is better range for me (dog, cat, kids and so on) and because it is FF compatible.
But for cars shows I would get 17-50...

I have the 17-50, and it is very sharp. The 28-75 I think is really the older version that was used on FF, and the 17-50 is the equivalent with a crop, I am going off top if my head, could be wrong. The 28-75 I always saw good reviews, I think the 17-50 non vc is sharper.
Anyway, for taking pictures of your child, the 28mm will be to long. I had a 28-135 once apon a time, and found I had to stand across the room for group shots.....
Sigma 17-70 is a nice option also...

If I go used and wind up sending it in for recalibration, any idea of the cost? There's some bargains out there for over $100 cheaper but I'm afraid of the recalibration costs should the lens require it.

FastGT94 wrote in post #12358230
I'm having a hard time deciding between the 17-50 (non VC) and the 28-75 both from Tamron. The reason I'm on the fence is reviews seem to favor the 17-50 for sharpness but I also know that a lot of 28-75 folks have been more satisified after sending the lens in for a tune up, often immediately after purchasing. That being said, do I need to be afraid of the "soft corners" often spoken of on the 28-75, or has this been corrected over time? This is really the main thing causing me to shy away from the 28-75.

Both similar prices so I know its going to come down to sharpness / color for me.

I own a Canon T1i and right now my only lenses are the Nifty 50 and the kit lens. I also use the EX580-II for indoors. I like the sharpness of the nifty 50 and the f/1.8 ability for use indoors, but find that 50mm is a bit too narrow at times. My current likes for the kit lens are the ability to capture wider angles indoors with the kit lens, but hate that its not very fast. I do often miss being able to zoom beyond 55mm though when outdoors.

I would ideally like to replace both lenses with one, if possible, at the individual cost range of these Tammy's (~$450), but may wind up keeping the nify 50.

My subjects tend to be rather well rounded:
-Main subject is my 2 year old son, my dog, etc... lots of the pictures are indoors with the EX580-II attached.
-The other pictures I will take are occasional outdoors of general scenery (not mountains or anything, I'm in the NW burbs of Chicago LOL).
-Finally, I am an automotive hobbyist, so I'm often at the drag strip or car shows taking pictures so I need a crisp fast lens with some zoom ability.

Hope this gives enough info to help me decide. I'm leaning towards the 28-75.

I would lean towards the Tamron 17-50 2.8, it's designed for APS-C sensors


XSi (450D) with Tamron 17-50 2.8

at f2.8

Those are Tamron's two best-performing lenses. They are among the best third-party lenses available for Canon. The 28-75 had proven a very, very good lens and is used heavily by The Wife for weddings. It all comes down to what focal length you need or use the most. We have the EF-S 10-22, so ultra wide angle isn't a concern. Whichever lens you end up going with, you should be happy.

I have the 28-75 and it rocks!

queenbee288 wrote in post #12360515
I have the 28-75 and it rocks!

On what body?

28-75mm owner with a 30D here. I absolutely adore the lens, it does just about everything I could want to do.

mkville wrote in post #12358426
Man, the 28-75 has een getting crazy attention the last few weeks !!!!

LOL! It sure has! Its an awesome lens and the reason I want the 17-50. I prefer the range of the 28-75 personally, but it isn't as wide as the op would probably need.